The Poetry of Patterns: Finding Rhythm in Maths and Language
When you think of poetry, you probably picture emotions. When you think of maths, it’s all numbers, logic, and rigid formulas. But what if I told you that poetry and maths are surprisingly similar? Both rely on patterns, rhythm, and structure to create beauty and meaning. So why not use them in EFL class to make some engaging and adorable activities?
Before you sigh at the thought of mixing numbers with language lessons, hear me out!
You don’t need to be a math pro to explore these connections! All you need is a little curiosity and a willingness to try something new. I promise!
Maths Hidden in Poetry
Poetry isn’t just about words. It’s about how those words are arranged. Patterns, sequences, and structures give poems their rhythm and flow. And that’s where maths sneaks in.
Repetition & Rhythm
In maths, repetition helps us understand concepts (remember learning multiplication tables?). In poetry, repetition creates rhythm and emphasis. Look at the line from Edgar Allan Poe’s The Bells:
To the swinging and the ringing of the bells, bells, bells…
The repeated word bells creates a musical rhythm. Give your students a simple idea, e.g. Write a four-line poem where the second and fourth lines repeat the same phrase. For example:
The sun is bright, the sky is blue,
Birds are singing, too.
The flowers bloom, the breeze is new,
Birds are singing, too.
This simple repetition not only reinforces vocabulary but also introduces students to poetic rhythm.
Symmetry in Structure
Symmetry isn’t just for shapes and geometry. You can find it in poetry too. Poems like couplets and palindromic poems rely on symmetrical structures. Take a look at Refugees by Brian Bilston. You can ask your students to write poems based on some symmetrical idea, even a visual one:
Sequences in Poems
Sequences are a big part of maths, but they’re also key in poetry. Haikus, limericks, and sonnets all follow specific sequences in syllable counts or rhyme schemes. Why not challenge your students to write haikus (5-7-5 syllable pattern) or limericks (five lines, in which the first, second and fifth lines are longer and rhyme, while the third and fourth lines are shorter and share a separate rhyme AABBA). For example, a limerick by Edward Lear, There Was an Old Man with a Beard:
There was an Old Man with a beard,
Who said, ‘It is just as I feared –
Two Owls and a Hen,
Four Larks and a Wren,
Have all built their nests in my beard!
Counting syllables and following a rhyme scheme introduces math concepts subtly while keeping the focus on language.
Why It Works: The STEAM Advantage
You might be wondering, Why mix maths and poetry at all? The answer is simple: integrating subjects fosters critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving. When students see the beauty of maths and poetry combined, they develop deeper cognitive skills. It’s not just about learning English or maths, it’s about thinking in new ways.
After all, poetry isn’t just for the language arts classroom, and math isn’t just for calculators. When we blend the two, we create a space where logic meets creativity, and that’s where the magic happens. So next time you plan a poetry lesson, add a little math and watch your students’ curiosity bloom.
And what about you? Have you tried blending maths and poetry in your classroom? If not, subscribe to my newsletter and get a free lesson plan on spring wordplays!
